Why Game of Thrones Is the Drama to Beat at the Emmy Awards

There are shows that have more to say about the human condition than Game of Thrones.

There are many (very many) shows that have more subtlety than Game of Thrones.

But there are no shows that have more more than Game of Thrones.

The HBO fantasy series, which is nominated for outstanding drama series, simply plays at a scale with which nothing else on TV can compete.

Other shows have weddings; this one has a sumptuous feast that climaxes with an evil king choking to death in the arms of his incestuous parents. Other shows have fistfights; this one has a seven-foot strongman hitting an opponent so hard his head literally explodes.